At the end of October, more than 30 participants from the city’s leadership and administration, as well as member companies of Alholmen Industrial Park, gathered to present their new strategies and discuss how the city’s and industry’s strategies can align. The event was organized within the framework of the ACEP (Alholmen Circular Economy Platform) and PikaVem (Pietarsaaren kaupungin vetovoima ja elinvoima) projects.
Vaasa as an Example
After a company presentation by host Markus Niemi from Nordpipe Composite Engineering, Johanna Punkari, energy and climate specialist from the City of Vaasa, shared how Vaasa has developed collaboration models with the business sector. She highlighted the EnergyVaasa cluster and how Vaasa was named the winner of the European Green Leaf 2026 award.
Jakobstad’s Strategy – Sustainable Growth and Inclusion
Mayor Anne Ekstrand and City Development Director Harri Kotimäki presented Jakobstad’s new strategy for 2025–2030. The vision is a safe, sustainable, and pleasant city that promotes diversity and residents’ well-being. The strategy emphasizes sustainable growth with the ambition to achieve climate neutrality by 2035. Strong focus is placed on inclusion and bilingualism. The city aims to be an attractive location for both residents and businesses and actively works to create conditions for a circular economy and green transition.
AIP’s 2035 Strategy Highlights Closer Cooperation with the City
Juha Hakala, Chairman of Alholmen Industrial Park (AIP) and CEO of Jakobstad Port Ltd, presented AIP’s new strategy looking toward 2035.
“The vision is that by 2035, AIP will be Finland’s industrial park that succeeds in both attracting and retaining companies and talent, known worldwide as the best place for corporate innovation, collaboration, and development.
We have achieved a sustainable and attractive community through everyday cooperation and created clear milestones that make our goals tangible and realistic.
AIP serves as an example of how community spirit and efficient resource use can generate success and continuous growth.”
The strategy emphasizes strengthened cooperation with the city, and in the future, city officials from different departments will be invited alternately to approximately every other board meeting.
The Importance of Networking
The event concluded with discussions where participants raised current issues. Topics ranged from the new master plan to the detailed plan aimed at expanding UPM’s pulp mill area toward Hällören. Both sides stressed that closer collaboration benefits both the city and industry.
Read about strategy of Jakobstad here: https://en.jakobstad.fi/administration-and-decision-making/decision-making/the-strategy-for-the-town-of-jakobstad-2017-2025
Read about AIP strategy here: https://alholmenip.fi/en/what-is-aip/
